how are you going to pack Harry and the other things over the
range?" he said.

Okanagan's face was almost expressionless. "We're not going to. It
can't be done."

Seaforth said nothing. The last fall had shaken him severely, and he
had realized since they started that the task before them was almost
beyond the power of any two men, but had refused to contemplate what
must happen if they failed in it. Now he could see that it was
impossible, but dazed with utter weariness as he was he could not think
consecutively, and only felt a numbing dismay that in some strange
fashion softened the blow, while in place of considering the future his
memory reverted without his will to the incidents of that strange
journey. They rose blurred before him as the creations of an evil
dream, the wild descent of a rapid, the desperate effort of the
portage, the long hours of toil at the paddle, and endless unrolling of
whitened pines that crawled by them through the snow. Now at least,
when he could do no more, that stupendous toil was finished. Turning,
he glanced at Alton, who had with apparent difficulty swallowed a
little of the tea. He lay amidst the blankets with eyes closed,
breathing unevenly.

"Then you'll go on to Somasco, Tom, and send back the boys for us.
They may be in time," he said.

Okanagan strode softly to the entrance of the tent and drew the canvas
back. A moon hung red with frost in the pitiless heavens, the stars
shone steelily, and it was evident that the cold of the icy North was
laying its grip upon the valley.

"Harry wouldn't have much use for them when they came. There's an ice
fringe round the boulders now," he said.

Seaforth stared out into the glittering night, and groaned, for he knew
what happened to wounded men unsheltered from the frost. His voice was
low and harsh as he asked, "Then what is to be done?"

Okanagan replaced the canvas before he answered quietly, "There's the
canon."

"Yes," said Seaforth. "Still, no man has ever gone down it."

"No. But the water's lowest in winter, and a canoe once came through.
I can't see why another shouldn't do as well with men in it. It's easy
getting in, anyway."

Seaforth laughed mirthlessly. "Oh, yes. The question is, will any of
us come out again alive?"

As he spoke the sound of the river's turmoil swelled in a great
pulsation about the tent, and Seaforth involuntarily drew in his
breath. The curious glow he had seen there befor